Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Dear Left Kahla,

Dear Left Kahla,

Let me start off bluntly: you're unhappy. You know your clothes aren't fitting right. The muffin top? Where did it come from? Calories are important, don't disregard them. You'll bravely decide to look up the calories in your Chipotle bowl. Worst and best decision ever. Frozen pizza, pasta, and alcohol aren't the only food groups, no matter how good those $5 medium two topping pizzas are from Dominos with two sides of garlic sauce. You always talk about going to the gym or joining a class, but you never do it. Nobody should ever feel this uncomfortable in a bathing suit. You need to do something about it.

Sincerely, the girl on the right who made a change. The one that now takes her health and fitness a little more seriously. Late night drinking? Don't worry, we obviously didn't quit cold turkey. Don't you know us at all? It still happens, but on occasion. Less "I'll have a beer", and more "vodka clubs with lime, please." Eating out? It doesn't happen as often. Homemade meals seem to taste better anyway. BONUS: You'll finally have a use for all of those recipes you pinned. Think of the money saved. Ben "the budget" Brubaker will also love this part. Sincerely, when the kickball team at work is announced, you'll hesitate for a second but make sure you say "yes" to joining. It's an easy way to be active at least once a week. Spoiler alert: during the second season you'll catch three outfield balls in one game. You'll celebrate so much that you'll forget to throw the ball back in to the short stop. Oops. Sincerely, these shorts are loose on us now. LOOSE. Remember when you bought them and they were just a bit too tight? Sincerely, it's going to be okay, and you're going to be so happy you started. You just need to get up do it.

Weight loss is no easy feat. For me, it was about balance. I had to find that sweet spot between being strict with my choices and allowing myself to indulge. There were no quick fixes or one month total transformations. It was over a year and a half of lifestyle changes. Over a year and a half of cycling in cleaner foods, but still having a cupcake if I wanted to. Over a year and a half of being more active, but understanding that it was okay to not be at the gym every. single. day. The elliptical will still be there tomorrow, after all.

25 LBS have been lost. Happiness, an obsession with kale, and baby abs are among my favorite things that have been gained.

It's true what they say, the hardest part is starting. When you finally make the leap, you not only see changes in your body, but also in your mind, and being. It's when you begin seeing those changes happen that it all somehow becomes worth it and you'll want to do nothing more but continue.